Nairobi, Kenya, 19 March 2024 – Kenya’s Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry in partnership with the Global Green Growth (GGGI) Africa Region hosted a webinar to discuss the results of a joint study titled: “Stimulating Kenya’s exports for sustainable goods and services: A review of challenges, opportunities, and proposed interventions by the State Department”.
Jointly conducted by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and GGGI, the study explores the challenges and opportunities in the country’s export sector and provides recommendations for key interventions necessary to green major export sectors and improve productivity. Key sectors considered include coffee, tea, flowers, meat, leather, and textiles – all major export commodities in Kenya.
The event brought together government officials and industry experts from key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
While speaking at the opening of the Webinar, Mr. Alfred K’Ombudo Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade noted that agriculture remains among the key pillars of Kenya’s economy, directly contributing about 33% of the country’s GDP. Agriculture also contributes 65% of Kenya’s exports and thus, he said, the need to adopt sustainable, resilient and climate-smart practices to spur both agriculture and exports growth. “This study and the review is an important step in our export sector so that we can green our work and pursue our export market in a sustainable manner.” Mr. K’Ombudo said.
The study highlights several key recommendations aimed at greening Kenya’s export sector and facilitating its transition to a sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon economy. These recommendations include the adoption of sustainable practices across key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services, promotion of green investments to support clean energy usage and sustainable technologies, continued engagement with the private sector to encourage environmentally friendly business practices and innovation, enactment of policies by the Government of Kenya to advance green growth, and a focus on enhancing export value through the integration of sustainability principles.
Nagnouma Kone, Senior Regional Business Development Officer, spoke at the Webinar on behalf of the Africa Regional Director, GGGI. She said: “By promoting and supporting access to green investment, emphasizing the use of clean energy in the production process and implementing other sustainable farms practices, Kenya has the potential to drive the export value higher and further speed the transition to a green, resilient and low-carbon economy,” Ms. Kone added.
GGGI, she said, believes that such studies are pivotal in showcasing the current status as well as the direction towards greening the trade sector and a step towards green industrialization. By greening the trade sector, Kenya is sending a strong message about its commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development.
GGGI also reaffirmed its commitment to continue engaging and working with the Government of Kenya and supporting its efforts to put in place policies that advance green growth.